Buying A Used Car? Here Are 5 Features That Will Save You Money Down The Line

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Luckily, it's not necessary to purchase a new vehicle in order to get your hands on reliable transportation that can be counted on for years to come. Buying a used car comes with most of the same benefits new cars have, and they may even save you money on things like car insurance. Here are five features to look for when shopping for a used car that can save you even more money down the line:

A Recent Redesign

Vehicles that have not been updated in the last four or five years tend to lose more resale value than models that have recently implemented updates. If you plan to sell the car in the future, you can hold on to the highest possible resale value by investing in a used car that has had a recent redesign and that is popular on the market. SUVs typically hold onto to a high resale value after about five years of ownership.

Manually Driven Windows

Like anything else that is motorized, electric windows inevitably succumb to wear and tear after years of daily use. When they stop working properly, it typically costs hundreds of dollars to get them working again, which can significantly increase the investment amount you make on your used car. Opting for manual windows will save you the need for expensive future repairs altogether.

Stock Parts and Accessories

It is usually more expensive to have custom or aftermarket parts and accessories repaired, especially if they're considered to be exotic or classic. To save yourself some money over the long haul, it's a good idea to opt for a used car with stock parts and accessories that are readily available and easy to repair. If you want aftermarket parts installed, invest in them after purchasing your car so you can take advantage of their new condition and included warranties.

Tires with Plenty of Tread

Tires can be very costly to replace, ranging anywhere from $50 to more than $700 a piece. This is a significant cost that can eat right into any savings and discounts you manage to take advantage of while buying your used vehicle. To avoid the need for tire replacements anytime soon after your purchase, look for a car with tires that have at least half of their original tread left.

You should also be sure that the tires are not unevenly worn, which may indicate a balance or alignment problem that puts unnecessary wear and tear on the tires. Ideally, you'll find a car with tires which come with a warranty that is still active.

A Clean and Clear Title

Just because you find a used car that is priced thousands of dollars below its market value doesn't mean that you have found yourself a good deal. Sometimes those well priced vehicles come with a steep hidden price in the form of a salvage title.

A salvage title typically indicates that the vehicle has been damaged so badly that the costs of repairs were more expensive than the value of the vehicle. Cars that have been stolen or harshly weather-damaged may also carry salve titles. There are many reasons not to invest in a car with a salvage title including:

• The inability to finance or insure it.
• The questionable safety of it.
• The lack of any notable resale value.

To avoid getting sucked into buying a used car with a salvage title, have a history report run on any vehicles you are interested in to see if they have been damaged in any way in the past. It's also a good idea to check with your insurance company to ensure that the vehicle in insurable, and check the cars out online at the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.

Whether you're looking for a Dodge, Chrysler, Honda or anything else, with the help of these tips and tricks you'll be well on your way to making a cost effective investment in the used vehicle that meets all of your needs and preferences. 

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5 February 2015